Socio-demographic correlates of poor diet quality in adolescents and young adults: Evidence from South Africa
1
School of Health Systems and Public Health, Division of Health Measurement Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
2
Centre for Research in Health Systems, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
3
School of Science and Agriculture, Discipline of Statistics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
4
School of Medicine, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
5
School of Social Sciences, Discipline of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are increasingly exposed to dietary patterns that elevate their risk of chronic diseases. Understanding socio-demographic and household determinants of poor diet quality is critical for guiding targeted public health interventions.
METHODS:
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a combined baseline data from ARISE-NUTRINT & ARISE-DASH studies of 3,203 AYAs (10–24 years). The Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) was used to classify high-risk dietary patterns. Socio-demographic and household factors were assessed using descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS:
Overall, 24.9% of AYAs were classified as having a high-risk diet. High-risk status was significantly associated with not being in school (APR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03–1.45), residence in Ward 79 (APR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.13–1.48), and household food insecurity (APR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02–1.39). Socio-economic status showed strong gradients: low SES was associated with nearly double the risk (APR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.35–2.28), while high SES also increased risk (APR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.22–1.94) compared to middle SES. Lack of mobile phone ownership was associated with elevated risk (APR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35). Father’s education, particularly no schooling (APR: 3.71, 95% CI: 1.43–9.65) and technical/vocational training (APR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.06–3.26), was also predictive of risk. Mother’s education showed weaker associations.
CONCLUSIONS:
Nearly one in four AYAs reported high-risk dietary patterns. Key predictors included school attendance, socio-economic status, food insecurity, and parental education. These findings highlight the need for context-specific, multi-sectoral interventions-particularly school-based programs and community-level initiatives, that address socio-economic and household determinants of diet quality in youth populations.
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are increasingly exposed to dietary patterns that elevate their risk of chronic diseases. Understanding socio-demographic and household determinants of poor diet quality is critical for guiding targeted public health interventions.
METHODS:
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a combined baseline data from ARISE-NUTRINT & ARISE-DASH studies of 3,203 AYAs (10–24 years). The Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) was used to classify high-risk dietary patterns. Socio-demographic and household factors were assessed using descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS:
Overall, 24.9% of AYAs were classified as having a high-risk diet. High-risk status was significantly associated with not being in school (APR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03–1.45), residence in Ward 79 (APR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.13–1.48), and household food insecurity (APR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02–1.39). Socio-economic status showed strong gradients: low SES was associated with nearly double the risk (APR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.35–2.28), while high SES also increased risk (APR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.22–1.94) compared to middle SES. Lack of mobile phone ownership was associated with elevated risk (APR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35). Father’s education, particularly no schooling (APR: 3.71, 95% CI: 1.43–9.65) and technical/vocational training (APR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.06–3.26), was also predictive of risk. Mother’s education showed weaker associations.
CONCLUSIONS:
Nearly one in four AYAs reported high-risk dietary patterns. Key predictors included school attendance, socio-economic status, food insecurity, and parental education. These findings highlight the need for context-specific, multi-sectoral interventions-particularly school-based programs and community-level initiatives, that address socio-economic and household determinants of diet quality in youth populations.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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